Photos courtesy of Grandview Heights Public Library
Fewer shelves, more screens and more visible windows.
That’s what you can expect from the Grandview Heights Public Library. It’s recently undergone some big changes just in time for the fall school semester.
“We wanted to enhance the reference study and reading spaces, improve technology spaces and improve our book displays,” says Canaan Faulkner, public relations manager at the library.
Thanks to a generous donation from Louise Anderson and her family, the library now boasts 18 new Windows computers. All of them are equipped with Windows 10 software. They’re located among the 22 new workstations that were also installed.
The gift from the recently departed Louise Anderson was targeted at the reference department.
“We hadn’t updated our reference department in nearly 15 years,” says Faulkner. The previous arrangement was outdated and didn’t provide as much open space or as many areas to work.
Consolidating and rearranging the space has proven to be an easy way to refresh the reference department. For example, the library has reevaluated how it will shelve books in the department to feature more aesthetically pleasing book displays.
“If you can see the cover of the book, it catches more of your interest,” says Faulkner. “Facing out is a way for people to engage the material a lot better, and we do that already with our new nonfiction.”
Moreover, the State Library of Ohio will continue to host a series of classes on provided laptops to help educate the general public on the basics of working with computers.
The classes will teach essential computer skills such as Microsoft Word, how to use the Internet and how to access the library’s plethora of online resources such as audio and ebooks that are available through OverDrive, says Faulkner. The library is equipped with new resources and the classes to educate the public on how to use these new technological improvements.
Already, the new workstations have brought a refreshing energy to the library. There are more comfortable places to sit, more ways to plug in electronic devices and more resources available to patrons in the reference department.
The Grandview Heights Public Library PopUp Library brings books to the community
These new developments are a small taste of what the library has cooking. In the past few years, the library has also initiated a guitar lending program, through which members can check out acoustic guitars to promote hands-on, collaborative learning.
The library boasts a collection of laptops for in-library use, early literacy iPads and engaging events such as live music on the lawn.
It’s also been a part of initiatives such as providing wireless Internet access in Grandview Parks and bringing the library to the community through a PopUp Library.
The PopUp Library is a traveling library funded by the GHPL Foundation. It’s a low-speed electric vehicle that makes an appearance at places such as farmers markets and schools.
“You can check out books, you can get a library card,” says Faulkner. The vehicle is, in every sense, a mobile library.
The new computer stations and classes are just another example of how the library is continually innovating to meet the needs of the community.
“We’re excited. We think it looks great, and people already love it,” says Faulkner. “It’s already a win.”
Literacy Backpacks
The Grandview Heights Public Library is gearing up to prepare local children for kindergarten with Literacy Backpacks.
It’s a collection of 31 backpacks, each chock-full of early learning materials, books and activities that help to prepare youngsters for kindergarten. Different backpacks have different themes that aim to focus on areas such as social studies, language arts, math and science.
Backpacks are available for checkout in the Youth Services department.
Hailey Stangebye is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
